Global Scans · Crime · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Crime is morphing away from traditional methods to more sophisticated technological approaches. A decline of traditional hierarchical criminal groups and networks will be accompanied by the expansion of a virtual criminal underground made up of individual criminal entrepreneurs. At the same time, forward-looking agencies are equipping themselves with smart technologies to outfox the criminals. Keep up to date with crime changes below.

• [New] In 2026, cyber threats will be defined by fragmented, constant pressure driven by persistent access, decentralized criminal ecosystems, influence operations, and synthetic identities that will replace singular attacks with continuous, low-visibility disruption. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Robot dogs will patrol parts of Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving police a new way to assess threats before officers step into potentially dangerous situations. Interesting Engineering
• [New] In Indiana, lawmakers approved legislation expanding the role of the National Guard's military police in certain law enforcement functions, giving the governor authority that some Democrats say could be abused. Standard-Examiner
• [New] Last month, Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Clean Slate Act into law, paving the way for an estimated 1.7 million adults with nonviolent criminal records to have them automatically sealed beginning in 2029. Standard-Examiner
• [New] Police departments will start using police robots which have artificial intelligence capabilities for their basic patrol duties within the next two years. The News International
• [New] Nestle, Lactalis, Danone, Babybio and La Marque en moins will be probed over whether there was any criminal wrongdoing in distributing baby formula that may have been contaminated with cereulide. BBC News
• [New] Delhi has been using the Crime Mapping Analytics and Predictive System that relies on satellite imagery, CCTNS data, and real-time information from police hotlines to identify and predict crime hotspots for almost a decade. Center for the Study of Organized Hate
• [New] Certain U.S. cities and regions pose heightened risks to travelers in 2026 despite a national decline in crime. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Further, the U.S. designation of a series of Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations means that there are now more avenues for corporate disruption. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] U.S. national security priorities, including cartel terrorist designations, have created unconventional risks for businesses operating in Mexico given cartels' extensive economic infiltration. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] Additional actions could be taken for pilots who do not adhere to the restrictions, including suspension of flight certifications, criminal charges, and that the US government may use deadly force if an aircraft poses an imminent security threat. CNN
• [New] There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Cote d'Ivoire. U.S. Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire
• [New] The risk of terrorism from Syria may not always remain at its current low level. Critical Threats
• [New] Sussex Police have said they will not open an investigation into activists going door-to-door in Brighton asking people to stop buying Israeli goods. SKY
• [New] In fact, an estimated 86% of Europe's most threatening criminal networks are able to infiltrate the legal business world to disguise their activities and launder criminal profit. Global Initiative
• [New] Europe is expected to grow at a notable rate in the coming years due to the increasing adoption of UCAVs in military operations for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and precision strikes, as well as in domestic civilian areas for counter-terrorism operations. Precedence Research
• [New] European companies face increased risk from political violence in 2026, including sabotage, civil unrest and terrorism. Commercial Risk
• [New] With the passage of HB 2466, Texas joins more than 30 states in limiting how employers can use an applicant's criminal history. Business Lawyers Blog
• [New] Shifts in Israeli policing that weaken restraints on provocative behaviour, paired with the absence of effective external mediation channels to help de-escalate tensions, creates a real risk that sacred-site incidents could spark wider unrest. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• [New] By digitally tracking every waste movement from producer to disposal it will usher in a new era of efficiency in circularity and waste management, helping tackle soaring waste crime across the UK while simplifying compliance for businesses. ThePackagingPortal.com
• [New] Terrorism, including bioterrorism and biowarfare, as well as global crises, pose significant threats to public health and healthcare systems worldwide. PubMed Central (PMC)

Last updated: 21 February 2026